Chapter 13: Chapter 13

I completed the lesson successfully before Leyla fainted.

I didn’t want her to return exhausted to her room before the banquet ended, which would complicate things for Duke Thermion.

For the record, both my father and Duke Thermion left very “quietly” when our lesson seemed to be coming to an end.

In their own words.

They slipped out of the grass with a bang.

Leyla didn’t seem to notice, but I pretended not to until the end.

“Whoa. Refreshing.”

Leyla, walking with me, took a deep breath.

“Wow. The air is so clear. How did I not notice?”

“Because the repetition of inhaling and exhaling expands the feeling, and when you perceive it, you create a core or circle.”

“Uh-huh. When will I be able to make a core?”

Probably when you can do it at will. Do you have a sensation now?”

“I think I need to practice a bit more in the mirror, but I think I can do it on my own again! Thank you, Dain Sogres.”

Leyla didn’t forget to express her gratitude, even as she caught her breath. How charming.

“But how the heck do you know all these things? Honestly, I didn’t believe anyone my age could be better than me….”

Leyla was the type of girl who could admit her shortcomings.

And I was a very bad boy for her.

“I saw it in a book.”

“…You know you were just being a huge fool, and that makes sense?”

“It’s all in the book.”

“So putting it into practice right after reading it makes… it work. I’m silly for asking.”

I started to nod, but stopped when I realized I was going to get a punch. My hand would be quite warm.

“Anyway, you’re a genius, aren’t you? I’ve been called a genius many times, but I feel like I’m nothing compared to you.”

This time Leyla looked at me like I was a curious object, rather than frowning.

“Others don’t even get one talent, and you have summoning, magic, spear handling, and… a whopping three?”

And assassination and fencing.

If I tell you all this here, you won’t believe me, right?

“So you’ll have to come to the Academy later because that’s where all the geniuses in the Empire go.”

“I still don’t know.”

“What? You won’t go to the Academy, right?”

I scratched my head at that.

“Is that where I have to go?”

“Of course! What do you think the purpose of the Academy is?”

“Study?”

“Wrong. It’s where the nobility builds power. They make connections from a very young age.”

Leiyla was seven years old and seemed to have some idea of how the world worked.

“You’re lucky not to go to the Academy. You’re the only son of Count Sogres, talented, and even…”

“Even?”

“…Handsome.”

I burst into laughter.

“I still don’t think about the academy.”

“Are you sure you want to stay here and be bored?”

“Why not? It’s so much fun, and there are still so many books in the library to read, and so much to learn from you.”

“But… don’t you want to play with other children? I thought your sisters were all at the Academy.”

“Maybe later, if I want to go.”

Academies are not necessarily the solution.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go.

I’m not against the academy, I’m just curious.

In my previous life, most of the nobles I met on the battlefield were from the Academy, and they often talked about it.

Leiyla’s eyes sparkled.

“So, will you tell me?”

“Yes. I will.”

Leiyla smiled, relieved, and stretched out her arms.

“I’m glad I came on my father’s inspection because I didn’t want to.”

“Why?”

“It’s boring, I’m stuck in the carriage all the way, and the driver gets angry at the slightest hint of mischief on my part. But now that I’ve come, I’ve learned about my shortcomings in swordplay, and I’ve learned to release energy from you, I don’t think I’ll be bored on the way!”

I feel proud to see Leyla smiling.

On one hand, I’m delighted that Leyla got me into this unexpected relationship with Duke Thermion.

“So next time, you have to come, okay? You have to come and watch me practice again because I’m leaving tomorrow.”

For the record, Duke Thermion and his group are leaving the castle tomorrow.

“Okay. I’ll write to you when I reach the capital.”

“Good!”

Leyla hummed excitedly.

“By the way, Dain, what are you going to do with your wish?”

“Oh, my wish?”

“Yes. I just granted you my wish now. You didn’t tell me what your wish was then.”

At that, I smiled with a grin that pretended to be meaningful.

“I’ll tell you when we get to the capital.”

***

“Haha, if I weren’t a duke, I’d stay for a month and then leave.”

“Don’t say that, it’s awful.”

“How is that awful, man!”

“We should have met day and night on the battlefield, not like this.”

“Cancel my departure, I’ll stay for two months!”

Watching them argue, I felt I understood the kind of friendship that transcends rank and is forged on the battlefield.

“Anyway, since you’re only staying a day, why not stay a few more?”

“I have a lot of work to do in the South, and if I were you, I’d like to stay two or three months, just to chat with you and enjoy the scenery.”

Unfortunately, the Duke of Thermion wasn’t here to visit Count Sogres personally.

Tour of the south.

Several years have passed since the end of the war, and as Duke of the capital, it’s your job to oversee the people and understand the trends of each noble.

The scheduled banquet is over, and you head to your next destination.

“And while we’re at it… I was hoping to discuss the marriage of my son with your eldest daughter.”

“If that’s the case… hmm. Haven’t you heard?”

“News?”

“The news that Arabel magically punched the nose of one of the boys she was flirting with.”

“…”

“Almost got called to the Academy as a responsible father.”

“Nose, punch…?”

Duke Thermion broke into a cold sweat.

He had thought she was strange, but he never imagined she was this bad.

“Yes. So you could say that the marriage of my eldest daughter is no longer in my hands.”

“Hahaha. I’m not sure if my son will like her.”

“Rumor has it that the eldest son of Duke Thermion has already made a name for himself with his sword skills.”

“He has no family. He’s a dual now. With two cores, how can he be called a knight?”

Added Duke Thermion.

“I’ve met young ones who have already made three cores at that age. In battle.”

“Ah. You mean that guy. It’s a shame; he would have been a good fighter if not for his war wounds.”

“It’s a pity because he died by my hand.”

Duke Thermion remembered a warrior named Agric who had resisted to the end, refusing to surrender.

A triple core at his age.

He, if he had lived, would probably now be one of the hexa-class knights of the Drennic Empire.

“In any case, I’m afraid I can’t give you an answer that satisfies you.”

“Don’t apologize, hahaha. In any case, I’m glad I’m leaving with a more interesting friend than you.”

“An interesting friend?”

“Your son. Dain. Why didn’t you raise him with me? Haha.”

Duke Thermion chuckled.

“I look forward to him facing my daughter someday, and she’s no slouch either. She doesn’t have a magical core yet, and her sword skills are still young, but I assure you she’s as talented as her two brothers.”

“It’s curious; your daughter’s eyes are different.”

“No, no.”

Then the monk nudged him.

“Duke, it’s time for you to go.”

“Ah, have we come to this already?”

Duke Thermion muttered nostalgically.

“Well, Count, I bid you farewell then.”

“Take care. The south is a warm place, but sometimes the weather plays tricks on us.”

“Hmm. I’ll keep that in mind. Ah, and before I go, I’d like to greet your son. I’d like to have a chat with him that we didn’t have this morning.”

“Sure. Dain, come over here.”

Dain approached at his father’s word and bowed to the Duke.

“Dain.”

“Well, have you trained to your satisfaction this morning?”

“I think there’s no satisfaction in cultivation; the moment one is satisfied, growth stops.”

At those words, Duke Thermion smiled contentedly.

“Well, the count certainly raised a good son, and I don’t think he’s going anywhere.”

“I appreciate you thinking that way.”

Said Duke Thermion dryly.

“But since he’s here, I have one more question for you.”

“Tell me.”

“Why do you train?”

Dain responded without the slightest hesitation.

“Train for myself.”

Family.

Clan.

Empire.

For a moment, everyone was taken aback by the answer that came out of Dain’s mouth instead of the myriad of responses that many had thought of.

“Hahaha!”

Duke Thermion burst into laughter.

“That’s right. Straightforward, bold, and cheeky.”

asked Duke Thermion.

“Why do you think that?”

“Because I’m the one training.”

A intrigued smile proved that the answer was correct, and not only Duke Thermion but also Count Sogres were looking forward to what would happen next.

“Your son, is he seven years old?”

“I often think he’s seventy.”

“Ha. How he becomes so wise.”

Count Sogres chuckled.

“Dain has grown.”

In a way, he was a little disappointed.

He couldn’t believe he thought like this at his age.

“I have a gift for you. I know it’s your birthday, but since you made me feel so good, I’ll give you something even better.”

Duke Thermion gestured with his hand.

“Bring me ‘the crest.'”